Arctostaphylos manzanita_x_densiflora 'Austin Griffiths '

Austin Griffiths Manzanita is a hybrid between Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Sentinel' and Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd' manzanitas was introduced in the 1980's by Native Sons Nursery in memory of Austin Griffiths who volunteered in the conservation of the Nipomo Dunes and at Native Sons Nursery for years before his death.(I remember him as an athletic guy in his 60's with white hair that rode his bike to work and was very enthusiastic about native plants. A nice friendly guy.) His botanical enthusiasm is remembered by many.

The plant itself grows to 12 ft or so tall and 12 feet wide. In our garden it has been easily held to 6 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide. If you prune it up you can have a 15 ft. specimen with purplish red trunks and oink flowers. The bark is red, red stems, large flower clusters of small pink flowers with the foliage a glossy green. Flowering period is for most of January into February. The first flowers the hummingbirds can find are usually at Christmas. Kind of a present for the little buzz-erds. 

Austin Griffiths Manzanita prefers a sandy soil but does will in clay as long as it doesn't stand in water. One of the most stable native plants we grow.

When in flower or not, customers walk over to it and say "what's this?, I want one. I'll make room." In a mixed planting with either Arctostaphylos 'Dr. Hurd', Arctostaphylos 'Mama Bear', Ceanothus 'Tassajara Blue' and Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' you can create a hedge of beauty and life. Click here for more about California Manzanitas(Arctostaphylos).

This plant is one the best wildlife plants we have. The nectar is superior to almost any other plant. The chipmunks love the berries. Birds even eat the flowers. Hummingbirds, butterflies and even the 'normal' birds love the Austin Griffths Manzanita flowers. Loved by all, go Austin!